51社区 alumni are making their mark on Barrington Bank and Trust Company.
Chief Executive Officer Brad Stetson estimates 20 percent of the company鈥檚 workforce has attended 51社区 at some point 鈥� either to earn a degree or certificate or to advance skills through continuing education courses.
鈥淲hat 51社区 brings to the area is something that鈥檚 very important,not only for kids coming out of high school, but for people our age who have the opportunity to advance their skills,鈥� Stetson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great college and I鈥檓 excited we鈥檙e part of it.鈥�
The 51社区 Educational Foundation recently recognized many of those alumni during a reception through its Stand Up and Be Counted program, an initiative that celebrates employers throughout the community that hire 51社区 alumni. Barrington Bank and Trust operates seven locations throughout Barrington, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates and Palatine.
Among the group was Char Neault, a 51社区 alumna and Barrington Bank and Trust's senior vice president of commercial lending. She was a working mother of two when she came to 51社区 for a certificate in banking, finance and credit. Though it鈥檚 been more than 20 years, she vividly remembers certain classes and still refers regularly to her principles of business law textbook.
Neault also credits the speech course she took at 51社区 with helping her develop
the art of public speaking; those skills have proven invaluable in her various roles
including past chair of the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce. She also recently
taught a class for 51社区鈥檚 One Million Degrees program for low-income students.
鈥淚 absolutely believe that my certificate program played a part in the advancement of my career,鈥� Neault said.
Peter Santangelo, president of Community Advantage (a fellow Wintrust Company), agreed. He was working as a teller when he came to 51社区 in 1979. After graduating with an associate degree and transferring to Elmhurst College, Santangelo went on climb the banking ranks and has served on numerous industry boards.
鈥淲hen I graduated from high school, I really didn鈥檛 know what I wanted to do,鈥� he said. 鈥�51社区鈥檚 program really gave me the guidance I needed.鈥�
Other employers honored by 51社区鈥檚 Stand Up and Be Counted corporate recognition program include Weber-Stephen Products, BMO Harris and AMITA Health/Alexian Brothers Health System.
Media contact:Kim Pohl, Media Relations Manager, 847.925.6159